Updates on Tel Aviv shooter: Believed to still be in Metropolitan Tel Aviv area
The suspect, named on Saturday as Nashat Milhem, 31, is believed to still be armed with the submachine gun he used in the attack, and to pose a clear and present danger to the public.
By NOAM AMIR/MAARIV HASHAVUA, JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: JANUARY 3, 2016 14:07Tel Aviv gunman moments before he starts shooting
The police and Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) are continuing their search for the suspected perpetrator from Friday's shooting in Tel Aviv. Large swaths of police squads were deployed in Bat Yam, although police have still not yet caught him.The suspect, named on Saturday as Nashat Milhem, 31, is believed to still be armed with the submachine gun he allegedly used in the attack, and to pose a clear and present danger to the public.Since the publication of the suspect's name and picture, police received hundreds of calls from central Israel from civilians who gave them information and said that they had spotted him in several places where they believe he may have been hiding. Some of the information has been checked and verified.Police decided to review all claims that the suspect was seen running from street to street in the Gush Dan area, and in turn, many roads were closed in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area.Security officials estimate that the attacker has not yet left the central Gush Dan area, mainly due to the lack of information regarding his whereabouts elsewhere. Some security forces believe that the shooter is hiding and will not be coming out of hiding anytime. There have also been reports that there is a possibility the suspect killed himself shortly after the attack.When asked about the possibility that the shooter left Israel to enter the territories in the West Bank, a security official said: "I wish it was so. It would distance the shooter from civilian areas and security forces would have an easier time catching him."Meanwhile, the shooter's brother is still being held in the Haifa District Court for the hearing on the appeal filed by his lawyer and his family. The defense was quick to ask the court to reject the appeal for fear that they would lose valuable time in the investigation. The shooter's brother is being held on suspicion of being an aid in the murder.Security around schools in Tel Aviv and other crowded areas in the city were bolstered Sunday because of the ongoing manhunt.As searches continued, the Tel Aviv Municipality said that it would deploy more security guards, although it encouraged the city’s residents to adhere to their daily routine.
School trips and activities were set to continue as scheduled, the municipality announced.As part of municipal security precautions, security forces also remained reinforced throughout the city on 24-hour patrols.